Companies in Australia struggling to find talent with soft skills

The Australian government has designed the 2023-24 Permanent Migration Programme. The reforms focus on targeted skilled migration and higher standards for international students, among others.

Companies in Australia are struggling to find talent with soft skills, according to Professor Hossam Abuel-Naga, head of the department of engineering at Australia's La Trobe University.

While technical skills remain in demand, he said they remain an easier bar to qualify, to some extent. However, softer skills are much more challenging in today’s rapid disruption.

“There are two essential components in any profession: technical skills and soft skills. Both of these aspects are crucial, and they complement each other. Technical skills are generally considered a more straightforward aspect to address. On the other hand, soft skills present a greater challenge, as they involve communication, presentation, idea selling, and effective teamwork,” Abuel-Naga told Moneycontrol.

The industry is actively seeking graduates with these capabilities, whether they are from a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) background or from any field.

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Hence, La Trobe University, he said, is actively working to enhance its curriculum by focusing on developing these soft skills. They include teaching students how to communicate effectively, presenting ideas persuasively, and collaborating seamlessly within a team.

Changing immigration policy

The Australian government has designed the 2023-24 Permanent Migration Programme. The reforms focus on targeted skilled migration and higher standards for international students, among others. The government will introduce a four-year temporary skilled worker visa—the Skills in Demand visa -- with three categories. It will replace the single employer-sponsored Temporary Skill Shortage visa.

More importantly, the duration of an initial Temporary Graduate Visa (TGV) will be shorter. The extension of post-study work rights will no longer be available. Only applicants who studied in a regional area will be eligible for an extension.

On the challenges in terms of attracting Indian students to Australia, Abuel-Naga said that when examining policy changes, it's crucial to acknowledge the dynamic nature of these regulations.

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“While the current scenario may seem challenging, compared to the past, I am optimistic about improvements in the future,” he said, adding that the ‘Australia-India Partnership Education Strategy’ places a strong emphasis on enhancing and upskilling the workforce through increased mobility.

‘Tie-up with Mahindra University to help’

“Looking ahead, we anticipate that this collaboration and partnership will continue to strengthen….there is a specific shortage of civil engineers in Australia, and the partnership with Mahindra University is poised to make a positive impact in addressing these workforce needs,” he said.

Mahindra University and La Trobe University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to offer 30 undergraduate (UG) civil engineering students a four-year programme, with a chance to complete the final two years in Australia.

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La Trobe University will offer scholarships worth A$9500 per annum. After completing their two-year study in Australia, students are eligible to apply for a Post Study Work Permit of two years.

Throughout their study, students will have the opportunity to undertake industry internships and receive a stipend of up to A$11,000 for a six-month internship.

"The partnership will provide our students with access to cutting-edge knowledge, industry-relevant skills, and a global perspective that will prepare them for successful careers on an international stage," said Dr Yajulu Medury, Vice Chancellor of Mahindra University.